Digital camera and electronic device
An electronic device includes a display unit configured to align and display a plurality of selection candidates on an arc, and identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates. A rotary member is arranged almost concentrically with the arc. An identification display control unit is configured to control a change of the selection target along the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-000840, filed Jan. 5, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a video photographic device (digital camera) for photographing still and moving images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, multi-functional digital devices such as video photographic devices have become prevalant. Since such digital devices implement multiple functions, their operations are sometimes complicated. In order to easily perform these complex operations, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-290795 proposes several variations concerning the operation of a cross key.
The cross key is used to select items in a vertical direction in addition to a horizontal direction. Accordingly, one key called a “cross key” can relatively easily select many items.
However, the multifunctionality of digital devices continues to be enhanced, and demand has arisen for further improving their operability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera comprising a photographic unit configured to photograph a video, a recording unit configured to record the video photographed by the photographic unit, a display unit configured to: 1) display the video photographed by the photographic unit, 2) align and display a plurality of selection candidates on an arc in response to a display switching operation, and 3) identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates, a rotary member arranged substantially concentrically with the arc, and an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target among the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising a display unit configured to: 1) to align and display a plurality of selection candidates on an arc, and 2) identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates, a rotary member arranged substantially concentrically with the arc, and an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target among the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGThe accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing.
As shown in
The main body 1 also includes a housing portion 21 in which the display unit 5 can be housed. The display unit 5 is movable so that the display unit 5 can be opened from the housing portion 21, and the angle of a display surface can be arbitrarily adjusted. The display unit 5 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 51 and loudspeaker 52.
As shown in
The circular determination button 8 is arranged in the jog dial 7. The determination button 8 has a determination key 81 at the center position, an UP key 82 at the upper position, a DOWN key 83 at the lower position, a RIGHT key 84 at the right position, and a LEFT key 85 at the left position.
As shown in
In response to the operation of the shutter button 4, the CCD 101 converts light (still image) obtained via the lens 2 into an electrical signal. Alternatively, in response to the operation of the moving image recording button 6, the CCD 101 converts light (moving image) obtained via the lens 2 into an electrical signal. The signal processing circuit 102 converts the electrical signal output from the CCD 101 into a digital signal. The encoder 103 encodes the still image digital signal into a JPEG image signal. The encoder 103 also encodes the moving image digital signal into an MPEG image signal. The HDD 105 stores the image signal supplied via the memory 104. Similarly, the detachable memory card 106 stores the image signal supplied via the memory 104. The decoder 107 decodes the image signal supplied via the memory. The LCD driver 108 controls driving of the LCD 51 on the basis of the decoded image signal, and outputs the image signal on the liquid crystal display.
When playing back the recorded image, the decoder 107 decodes the image signal supplied from the HDD 105 or the memory card 106 via the memory 104. The LCD driver 108 controls to drive the LCD 51 on the basis of the decoded image signal, and outputs the image signal on the LCD 51.
When the image recorded in the HDD 105 or the memory card 106 is transferred to an external device (e.g., PC), or when the image is received from the external device, the image is transmitted/received from the USB terminal 113 via the USB controller 111. For example, the encoded image can also be directly transmitted/received to/from the image recording/playback device such as a DVD recorder without using an external device such as a PC.
Generally, when the image is transferred to the DVD recorder, the encoded moving image is decoded on a transmitting side (video photographic device side). The analog signal is then output from a video terminal or an S terminal, and re-encoded and stored on the receiving side (video recording/playback device side). In this method, for example, it takes 1 hr to record the image which was recorded in 1 hr, on the DVD or the like.
However, in this video photographic device, as described above, the encoded image can be transferred to the image recording/playback device via a network as streaming data. Hence, although it depends on the compression ratio in encoding, a transfer time can be 1/10 or less the real recording time. Additionally, since the image is not re-encoded, a high image quality can be maintained. For example, when the transfer time is about 1/10 the real recording time, it takes only about 6 min to record the moving image which was recorded in 1 hr, on another recording medium. When a LAN is used as the network, the image data is transmitted/received using the LAN terminal 112 via the LAN controller 110. Note that the data to be transferred is not limited to moving images and still images. The data may be audio data.
The video photographic device includes the HDD 105 serving as a large-capacity storage device. That is, the HDD 105 can store various data (an enormous number of still images or a long moving image). Along with this, the operation of forwarding/rewinding the image is required to be fast. Hence, in order to perform these operations in a user friendly fashion, the jog dial 7 and the determination button 8 are used. Upon rotation of the jog dial 7, the jog dial 7 outputs information about a rotational amount (rotational angle) and a rotational direction, to the CPU 114 which controls the entire system. For example, the jog dial 7 outputs a pulse in accordance with a given rotational angle. When the jog dial 7 is rotated n°, the jog dial 7 outputs one pulse. The CPU 114 checks a pulse count per unit time, and calculates the rotational angle (rotational speed) per unit time. As described above, the CPU 114 obtains rotational information such as the rotational amount (rotational angle), rotational direction, and rotational speed of the jog dial 7. On the basis of this rotational information, the display on the LCD 51 is controlled. The determination button 8 notifies the CPU 114 of depression of the determination key 81 at the center position, the UP key 82 at the upper position, the DOWN key 83 at the lower position, the RIGHT key 84 at the right position, and the LEFT key 85 at the left position. On the basis of depressions of the respective keys of the determination button 8, the CPU 114 controls various operations, and also controls the display on the LCD 51.
With reference to FIGS. 5 to 11, the layout of the jog dial 7, and a display state transition on the LCD 51 upon rotation of the jog dial 7 will be described below.
As shown in
When the menu button 9 is operated when the video photographic device is powered on, for example, the menu screen shown in
On the basis of the rotational information such as the rotational amount (rotational angle), rotational direction, and rotational speed of the jog dial 7, the CPU 114 controls the change of the selection target by the cursor or the like, along the arc on which the plurality of selection candidates are aligned. That is, the CPU 114 serves as an identification display control unit.
For example, assume that the menu screen is set in a state shown in the upper portion of
When the jog dial 7 is rotated n° clockwise in the menu screen display state shown in the upper portion of
As shown in the upper portions of
For example, assume that the total number of icons of the selection candidates is 24, and seven icons out of the 24 icons are displayed at equal intervals on the menu screen. When the icons are rotated in synchronism with the display on the menu screen, if the jog dial 7 is rotated 15° (360/24), the icon of the next selection candidate can be displayed as a selection target (identified and displayed by the cursor or the like). As described above, when the icons are rotated in synchronism with the display on the menu screen, manipulability and operability are improved.
Note that in response to the operations of the jog dial 7 and the determination button 8, the relationship between the rotational amount of the jog dial 7 and the transition amount of the identification display target can be arbitrarily set. For example, the user may feel that the rotational speed of the selection candidates is higher or lower than desired with respect to rotation of the jog dial 7. He or she may uniquely feel a sense of incompatibility when the rotation radius of the jog dial 7 is different from that of the arc on which the selection candidates are aligned. To cope with this, the relationship between these two rotational speeds can be arbitrarily set by the user. The user can rotate the jog dial 7, select an icon for setting a rotational speed relationship on the menu screen of the LCD 51, and set a preferable speed. The CPU 114 stores the set rotational speed relationship, and controls the rotational speed of the icons on the menu, on the basis of the relationship between the actual rotational speed of the jog dial 7 and the stored rotational speed. As described above, the relationship between these two rotational speeds can be arbitrarily set by the user, thereby further improving operability.
As shown in
That is, when the jog dial 7 is rotated n° in the clockwise direction, the selection candidate 2 is selected after the selection candidate 1. Similarly, when the jog dial 7 is rotated n° clockwise, the selection candidate 3 is selected after the selection candidate 2. Similarly, when the jog dial 7 is rotated n° clockwise, the selection candidate 4 is selected after the selection candidate 3. Similarly, when the jog dial 7 is rotated n° clockwise, the selection candidate 5 is selected after the selection candidate 4. Even if a large interval is set between the selection candidates (selection candidates 4 and 5) with different categories to increase the visibility, the rotational angle of the jog dial 7 can be constant (n°) for the next selection candidate (the selection candidate 5 after the selection candidate 4) to be selected.
As shown in
On the menu screen shown in the upper portion of
On the menu screen shown in the upper portion of
Next, with reference to
After the photographic mode is started (while photographing a moving image), by pressing the moving image recording button 6 display (a) in
Note that upon pressing the menu button 9 after the photographic mode is stopped by pressing the moving image recording button 6 (second condition), the LCD 51 displays the menu screen as shown in the upper portion of
As described above, the video photographic device displays the selection candidates aligned on a ring or arc. The video photographic device displays the selection candidates on the arc when a large number of selection candidates are used, or displays the selection candidates on the ring when a small number of selection candidates are used. When a large number of selection candidates are used, it is difficult to recognize the selection candidates if all the selection candidates are simultaneously displayed on the screen. Hence, some of the selection candidates are displayed on the arc. When a small number of selection candidates are used, all the selection candidates are displayed on the ring in order to simultaneously recognize all the selection candidates.
Next, with reference to
After the photographic mode is started (while photographing a moving image), by pressing the moving image recording button 6, display (a) in
On the basis of rotation of the jog dial 7, the CPU 114 changes the exposure correction (display (c) of
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A digital camera comprising:
- a photographic unit configured to photograph a video;
- a recording unit configured to record the video photographed by the photographic unit;
- a display unit configured to display the video photographed by the photographic unit, align and display a plurality of selection candidates on an arc in response to a display switching operation, and identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates;
- a rotary member arranged substantially concentrically with the arc; and
- an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target among the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
2. A digital camera comprising:
- a photographic unit configured to photograph a video;
- a recording unit configured to record the video photographed by the photographic unit;
- a display unit configured to display the video photographed by the photographic unit, align and display a plurality of selection candidates on a ring in response to a display switching operation, and identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates;
- a rotary member arranged on a surface which is parallel to at least one position of a display surface of the plurality of selection candidates displayed on the ring; and
- an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target along the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the ring on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
3. A digital camera comprising:
- a photographic unit configured to photograph a video;
- a recording unit configured to record the video photographed by the photographic unit;
- a rotary member;
- a display unit configured to display the video photographed by the photographing unit, display a setting in response to a display switching operation, and indicate that the setting can be changed by rotation of the rotary member; and
- a setting change control unit configured to change the setting on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
4. An electronic device comprising:
- a display unit configured to align and display a plurality of selection candidates on an arc, and identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates;
- a rotary member arranged substantially concentrically with the arc; and
- an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target among the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the identification display control unit controls the transition of the identification display target in synchronism with rotation of the rotary member.
6. A device according to claim 4, further comprising a setting unit configured to set a correspondence relationship between a rotational amount of the rotary member and a transition amount of the identification display target.
7. A device according to claim 4, wherein the identification display control unit changes the selection target in accordance with a predetermined rotational angle and a rotational direction of the rotary member.
8. A device according to claim 4, wherein
- the display unit displays some of the plurality of selection candidates on the arc at predetermined intervals, and displays other selection candidates of the plurality of selection candidates at intervals different from the predetermined intervals, and
- the identification display control unit changes the selection target in accordance with a predetermined rotational angle and a rotational direction of the rotary member.
9. A device according to claim 4, wherein
- the display unit aligns and displays some of the selection candidates on the arc, and
- the identification display control unit excludes, upon rotation of the rotary member, a selection candidate displayed at one end of the arc, and additionally displays a new selection candidate at the other end of the arc.
10. A device according to claim 4, wherein
- the display unit displays a plurality of selection sub-candidates which belong to the identified selection target, along a second arc which is concentric with the arc and has a radial distance different from a radial distance of the arc, and identifies and displays a selection target of the plurality of selection sub-candidates, and
- the identification display control unit controls the change of the selection target along the second arc, on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
11. A device according to claim 4, which further comprises a main body including a housing unit which houses the display unit, the rotary member, and the identification display control unit, and in which
- the display unit is configured to be housed in the housing unit, and when the display unit is housed in the housing, the display unit is configured not to have a concentric relationship between the arc and the rotary member.
12. An electronic device comprising:
- a display unit configured to align and display a plurality of selection candidates on a ring, and identify and display a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates;
- a rotary member arranged on a surface which is parallel to a display surface of the plurality of selection candidates displayed on the ring; and
- an identification display control unit configured to control a change of the selection target among the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the ring on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein
- on the basis of a first condition, the display unit aligns and displays the plurality of selection candidates on the ring and identifies and displays the selection target of the plurality of selection candidates, and, on the basis of a second condition, the display unit aligns and displays the plurality of selection candidates on the arc, and identifies and displays a selection target of the plurality of selection candidates,
- the rotary member is arranged substantially concentrically with the arc, and
- the identification display control unit controls a change of the selection target along the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the ring and the arc on the basis of rotation of the rotary member.
14. A digital camera according to claim 1, which further comprises
- a record designation unit configured to designate a start and stop of a photographic mode,
- a first menu designation unit configured to designate a display of a first menu screen, and
- a second menu designation unit configured to designate a display of a second menu screen, and in which
- the display unit displays a photographed video, aligns and displays the plurality of selection candidates on the ring on the photographed video, identifies and displays the selection target in accordance with the display on the first menu screen by the first menu designation unit after starting the photographic mode by the record designation unit, aligns and displays the plurality of selection candidates on the arc, and identifies and displays the selection target in accordance with the display on the second menu screen by the second menu designation unit after stopping the photographic mode by the record designation unit.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the display unit displays the photographed video, and aligns and displays the plurality of semitransparent selection candidates on the ring on the photographed video in accordance with the display on the first menu screen by the first menu designation unit after starting the photographic mode by the record designation unit.
16. A device according to claim 13, wherein
- depending on the number of the selection candidates, the display unit selectively switches between a first display mode in which all the plurality of selection candidates are aligned and displayed on the ring and a second display mode in which a predetermined number of selection candidates are aligned and displayed on the arc,
- the first display mode identifies and displays one of the plurality of selection candidates aligned on the ring upon rotation of the rotary member, and
- upon rotation of the rotary member, the second display mode excludes a selection candidate displayed at one end of the arc, additionally displays a new selection candidate at the other end of the arc, and identifies and displays one of the predetermined number of selection candidates aligned on the arc as the selection target.
17. An electronic device comprising:
- a rotary member;
- a display unit configured to display a setting, and indicate that the setting can be changed by rotation of the rotary member; and
- a setting change control unit configured to change the setting upon rotation of the rotary member.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the display unit displays an image of the rotary member at a position corresponding to the display of the setting.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 6, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 6, 2006
Inventors: Tatsuro Abe (Ome-shi), Toyokazu Aizawa (Sagamihara-shi)
Application Number: 11/220,877
International Classification: H04N 5/222 (20060101);